You need to set it from the Control Panel.. Lemme check it out on my machine.

Here's mine, note how I applied it (NOT from explorer or photo gallery) and the option I used.

ok, applying from the (right click) Personalize (like Purrball suggested) did take out the funny striations and looks as it should now. Before was applied through the explorer window with 'Set as Desktop Background'.

Cool SK, did it help you John?

I'll be damned, I browsed to it from Personalize... and Voila... perfect....

So, I guess we must deduct.. right click > Set as Background.. doesnt work worth a crap in Vista.

Good job guys.. ya'll may want to start posting this fix while uploading your work, I'm sure going to.

@ SK I think its hard to notice because it seems to affect single pixel stuff , not nearly as noticable on 'normal' walls.

No Vista here; what results do you get changing walls with WB config, it is suppose to be better than thru Windows settings.

never once used WB to change walls.. always used right click set as... I suppose to use WB you have to put wallpapers in windows wallpaper directory.. maybe I'll just throw all my walls in there instead of on my external.

No you can add your wallpaper folders through the wallpaper config.

ok, thx

yeah thanks guys, now look better with your helps!

I noticed this within the first week that Vista came out. If you use explorer to set your wallpaper or use any of the options where the wallpaper needs to be resized, Vista will resave the picture as a horribly compressed jpg. I've used WindowBlinds to apply my wallpapers for at least a year now just because of that problem. One major thing about WindowBlinds, though, is that there needs to be an option to add wallpaper directories recursively. I'd like to oraganize my wallpapers into subfolders but then I'd have to add each individual folder which is a pain in the ass.

I am running ATI Radeon Graphics @ 1440x900. I noticed that there is an unbelievable reduction in quality when I set an image as the wallpaper. Take a look:

 

See how blurry the image is when set as wallpaper?

oh i wondered why my .dreams looked so nice on my media player and yet are suddenly lighter when i use as wallpaper - spoils the effect

Right click on your desktop and choose the control panel for your videocard and set the video gamma down a little until it's to your liking.

I have never used that method to set a wallpaper....they're always altered to jpg format if so done. [not just in Vista].

windows\web\wallpaper\ is where you [should] put all your walls....made full-size to your screen res...and in BMP format.

Always done it that way....probably always will...